25 August 2005 Edition

Joe Cahill - a 'giant' of Irish freedom

A monument to the late Joe Cahill, former Honourary Vice President of Sinn
Féin and life-long republican activist was unveiled at Milltown Cemetery,
Belfast on Sunday 21 August.

Many of Joe's comrades and friends gathered for the ceremony which was
addressed by Deirdre Whelan from Dublin. In her her opening remarks she
especially thanked Dickie Glenholmes and Dessie Kennedy who she said had
made the day possible.

Deirdre Whelan told those gathered that they were paying a tribute to
someone who will be for years a shining example of what republicanism is all
about. Joe Cahill had given all of his life to the cause of Irish freedom.

She went on to say: "He dearly wished to live in a united Ireland, while it
didn't happen when he was alive, he certainly ensured that the groundwork
has been laid to ensure that you and I and future generations will live in
that 32-County Ireland.

"Joe will live long in our memories. He was involved in every avenue of
republicanism. He finished out his days as Honourary Vice President of Sinn
Féin, a title that he carried with pride and was well-deserved. No task was
too big or too small for Joe. Whatever was asked of him, he carried it out
diligently. He is an example to all of us and we should leave here today
mindful of the sacrifices Joe and his family made for you and me and commit
ourselves to work harder than ever to reach our goal.

Joe was involved in organising the Wolfe Tone Commemoration which takes
place in June of each year in County Kildare. If you do one thing to honour
Joe Cahill, come to Bodenstown next year.

"He was also one of the driving forces in the prisoners' aid organisation An
Cumann Cabhrach. Another worthy cause you can support in memory of Joe.

"There have been many giants along the way in the struggle for Irish freedom
— Wolfe Tone, Pearse, Markievicz, Tom Williams, Bobby Sands, Mairéad
Farrell. Joe Cahill ranks among those giants and will go down in history as
a major influential, dedicated committed Fenian. An unrepentant freedom
fighter who gave his all. We will never forget you Joe and you will be known
for generations to come. Your family must be so proud.

"I urge you all to go from here today and aspire to in some small way mirror
the life of Joe Cahill. Examine your conscience. Ask yourself are you doing
enough. If not, do more. If you think you are doing enough ask yourself what
is enough, do more.

The road to freedom is not an easy one and this struggle has gone through
many phases. Joe Cahill was through them all. He gave his unyielding loyalty
to the leadership of our struggle. We should all do likewise.

"In the words of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams: 'At times of great
upheaval and change within republican activism, Joe Cahill was a steadying
influence, mindful always of the primary imperative and objective of
republican struggle — the liberation and empowerment of the people of
Ireland.' With those words in mind let us all endeavour to fulfil Joe
Cahill's dream."